Signs & Symptoms of Insufficient Light Exposure on Plants

Symptoms

• Plants that don't receive enough sunlight may exhibit slow or stunted growth, yellow or pale green leaves, drab coloration or small leaves. They may also grow in a lopsided pattern in which all leaves face the sun or appear leggy and spindly, with too much stem between the leaves. In addition, plants usually won't flower if they don't receive enough light.

Considerations

• Insufficient light exposure isn't the only possible cause for weak growth, poor color or other problems. Indoor or outdoor plants may also suffer from root rot, pot-bound roots, nutrient deficiencies or too much or too little water. If you aren't sure whether insufficient light is the problem, check whether the roots show signs of slimy, black decay, then provide more light to see if your plant perks up.

Solutions

• Provide more light to indoor houseplants by temporarily moving plants outside, using artificial lighting or moving them to a location that receives direct light, such as a south-facing window. Rotate potted plants that are growing towards the sun to prevent or correct lopsided growth. Provide more light to outdoor plants by pruning overhead trees that restrict sunlight. In addition, prune plants in a trapezoidal shape so the bottom is wider than the top to ensure all areas of the plant receive sunlight.

Prevention

• Consider the available light exposure before choosing and installing plants to help avoid problems. For example, if you plan to put houseplants in a room that only receives indirect light, don't choose plants that need lots of direct sunlight, unless you want to use artificial lighting. Too much light can also harm plants, so don't place shade-loving plants, such as bromeliads or Chinese evergreens, in locations that receive lots of sunlight, either.